Prints

As Chuck Tatum, an 18-year-old in B-Co., 27th Marines, 5th Div., clung to Iwo Jima’s beach, he was shocked at the sight of a lone Marine, standing tall in the face of enemy fire. That Marine was Gunny John Basilone. Having trained under Basilone, Tatum knew this was a man to follow. Advancing to the island’s first airfield together, Tatum and Basilone would encounter and neutralize a heavily-fortified enemy blockhouse, an action that would earn Basilone the Navy Cross, and Tatum, his stripes as a combat Marine.